The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has unveiled an elaborate extortion scheme allegedly orchestrated by Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo. The modus operandi reportedly involved compelling Regional Government Officials (OPD) to sign undated resignation letters, creating a powerful tool for control and intimidation.
According to Asep Guntur Rahayu, the KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, this illicit practice was initiated during the inauguration process of new OPD officials. “This is related to the inauguration of officials, the OPD,” Asep stated at the KPK building on a Saturday, detailing the genesis of the scheme.
Following their formal appointment, officials were individually summoned and directed to sign two critical documents. The first document was a declaration of readiness to resign from their positions and Civil Servant (ASN) status should they prove incapable of fulfilling their duties. “After the inauguration, GSW (Gatut Sunu Wibowo) asked the officials to sign a statement of resignation from their positions and from ASN if they were unable to carry out the assigned duties and responsibilities,” Asep explained.
The signing procedure, Asep noted, was conducted immediately on-site, with official stamp duty affixed, but notably, the date field was deliberately left blank. “They were told to sign it right there, with the stamp duty ready. But then, no date was provided; the date was left empty,” he elaborated, highlighting a crucial aspect of the coercive strategy.
In addition to the undated resignation letters, officials were also required to sign a second document: a statement of absolute responsibility for managing the budget within their respective OPDs. “So there was absolute responsibility; the individual was fully accountable for whatever happened in budget management. They were also asked to sign that,” Asep added.
The KPK suspects that these two formidable documents were meticulously designed and subsequently utilized by GSW as instruments to control and pressure officials into unwavering loyalty. “These documents are then suspected of being used by GSW as a means to control and simultaneously pressure officials to be loyal and obey every command of GSW,” Asep asserted.
Asep further elucidated how these undated resignation letters could be weaponized at any moment. “So if the Regent, in this case, GSW, felt that their work was not satisfactory or they were not loyal, he would simply fill in the current date,” Asep clarified. This tactic would then effectively legitimize the resignation, making it appear as if the official had voluntarily stepped down from their position and ASN status. “It would make it look as if that person, or that official, had resigned,” he concluded, underscoring the deceptive nature of the scheme.
In practice, any official who failed to comply with the Regent’s directives faced the immediate threat of dismissal or forced resignation. “Those who were not ‘straight’ with the Regent were threatened with removal from their positions or even forced resignation from ASN,” Asep confirmed.
Leveraging this sophisticated system of intimidation, Gatut allegedly proceeded to demand substantial sums of money from the heads of various OPDs, either directly or through his aide. “Then GSW demanded money from the heads of the Regional Government Organizations or OPDs and other officials, either directly or through his aide, YOG,” Asep stated.
These demands reportedly totaled around Rp 5 billion from at least 16 OPDs, with individual amounts varying. Gatut was also accused of orchestrating budget increases for OPDs but then demanding a cut of up to 50 percent of the augmented funds. “Even before the budget was disbursed or provided to the OPD, making that OPD essentially indebted,” Asep revealed, illustrating the pervasive nature of the corruption.
During the rigorous collection process, Dwi Yoga Ambal, Gatut’s aide, played an active role in relentlessly pursuing payments from the officials. “Subsequently, in the process of collecting the ‘share,’ GSW ordered YOG—who was his aide—to continually collect from the OPDs,” he added. The actual amount of illicit funds received by Gatut is estimated to be approximately Rp 2.7 billion, falling short of the Rp 5 billion he demanded.
For their alleged actions, Gatut and Dwi Yoga have been named suspects in the extortion case. They face charges under Article 12 letter e or Article 12B of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Law in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law No. 1 Year 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. Both individuals have been immediately detained for the initial 20-day period at the KPK Red and White Building detention facility.
Summary
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed an elaborate extortion scheme orchestrated by Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo. The modus operandi involved compelling Regional Government Officials (OPD) to sign undated resignation letters and statements of absolute budget responsibility during their inauguration. These documents were allegedly used to control and pressure officials into unwavering loyalty, with threats of dismissal or forced resignation for non-compliance. This sophisticated intimidation system allowed the Regent to manipulate his subordinates.
Subsequently, Gatut allegedly demanded substantial sums of money from OPD heads, either directly or through his aide, Dwi Yoga Ambal. These demands reportedly totaled around Rp 5 billion from at least 16 OPDs, although approximately Rp 2.7 billion was ultimately received. Gatut and Dwi Yoga have been named suspects in this extortion case under the Anti-Corruption Law and have been detained by the KPK.